“The greater the hurt or injustice, the less I want to move toward forgiveness.”

A thought by Larry Osborne, (2009-04-04) from his book, Ten Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe (p. 36). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

We all understand this to be true but we also understand that it is in our own best interest to forgive. It makes a difference in us spiritually, relationally and emotionally. To not forgive hurts us even more than the hurt by the other person. But the problem is I don't want them to get away with it.

But as Larry says, “When we offer forgiveness to those who have no excuse-and for things most of the world would consider unforgivable-we become most like Jesus. That's when I turn to what I call the prayer of permission.”

So what is the prayer of permission? He goes on, “It's a prayer I pray when I have no desire or motivation to do what I know I should do. It's a simple prayer in which I give God permission to change the way I feel about a person or situation. I don't ask him to help me forgive. I've usually asked that and gotten nowhere, because I didn't really want to forgive in the first place. So I back up one step and give God permission to change the way I feel, to make me want to forgive.”

It is giving God permission to change the way you feel, to make you want to forgive. That is a great place to start.

As Larry says, “Forgiving is a big deal. It's not just for those who have done the little things that get us so worked up. It's for those who are responsible for the big stuff as well.” It when “we become most like Jesus.”

Is that a prayer you need to pray today?

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